Category: 19th Century Literature

Summary: Every thoughtful young man must read J. C. Ryle. For those who don’t have the time or would rather listen, Douglas Bond presents this new audio book. As a young man, Ryle was a first-class athlete, rowing on the crew and playing cricket at Oxford, and a diligent student, graduating top of his class. After hearing Ephesians 2 read in church, Ryle was converted to Christ and thereafter earnestly pursued an uncompromising life of faith and ministry. Throughout his long life, Ryle became a leader in the evangelical movement, proclaiming faithfully the biblical and reformed gospel of grace. During his preaching and pastoral ministry, Ryle became a lover of the Puritans and, like his heroes, wrote prolifically (Summary by Douglas Bond).

Here’s how Ryle begins:

“When the Apostle Paul wrote his Epistle to Titus about his responsibility as a minister, he mentioned young men as a group requiring particular attention. After speaking of older men and older women, and young women, he adds this advice, “Encourage the young men to be self-controlled” (Titus 2:6). I am going to follow the Apostle’s advice. I propose to offer a few words of friendly exhortation to young men.

I am growing old myself, but there are few things that I can remember so well as were the days of my youth. I have a most distinct recollection of the joys and the sorrows, the hopes and the fears, the temptations and the difficulties, the mistaken judgments and the misplaced affections, the errors and the aspirations, which surround and accompany a young man’s life. If I can only say something to keep some young man walking in the right way, and preserve him from faults and sins, which may hurt his prospects both for time and eternity, I shall be very thankful. There are four things which I propose to do:
I. I will mention some general REASONS why young men need exhorting.
II. I will note some special DANGERS which young men need to be warned about.
III. I will give some general COUNSEL which I beg young men to receive.
IV. I will set down some special RULES OF CONDUCT which I strongly advise young men to follow. On each of these four points I have something to say, and I pray to God that what I say may do good to some soul.”